CITY OF SHORELINE

SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL

SUMMARY MINUTES OF WORKSHOP MEETING

Monday, March 20, 2000

6:30 p.m.

Shoreline Conference Center

Mt. Rainier Room

PRESENT: Mayor Jepsen, Deputy Mayor Hansen, Councilmembers Grossman, Gustafson, Montgomery and Ransom

ABSENT: Councilmember Lee

1. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Jepsen, who presided.

2. FLAG SALUTE/ROLL CALL

Mayor Jepsen led the flag salute. Upon roll by the City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present, with the exceptions of Councilmember Ransom, who arrived later in the meeting, and Councilmember Lee.

Upon a motion by Deputy Mayor Hansen, seconded by Councilmember Grossman and unanimously carried, Councilmember Lee was excused.

3. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT AND FUTURE AGENDAS

Robert Deis, City Manager, recommended the cancellation of the April 3 Council Workshop for lack of agenda items. He went on to note an invitation to the April 5 Council of Neighborhoods potluck dinner. Finally, he mentioned items scheduled for the April 17 Council Workshop: the Aurora Corridor Project; and the North City Subarea Plan.

4. COUNCIL REPORTS

Councilmember Gustafson said several Councilmembers attended the National League of Cities (NLC) conference. He commented that the conference was educational and that it provided an opportunity to meet with the national legislators representing Shoreline. He mentioned e-commerce and the 2000 census as significant issues of discussion.

Councilmember Montgomery noted the cancellation of the March Regional Transit Committee meeting. She said the committee will address the allocation of bus service reductions at its April meeting.

Mayor Jepsen said he attended the event that Evergreen School held March 18 to replant a surface water retention facility. He mentioned that he will attend the March 24 retreat that the Growth Management Policy Committee (GMPC) is holding in conjunction with King County Executive Ron Sims. Finally, he noted the Shoreline Volunteer Breakfast April 12.

5. PUBLIC COMMENT

(a) Dennis Lee, 14547 26^th Avenue NE, said he talked with Kristoff Bauer, Assistant to the City Manager, and with Shoreline Water District Manager Cynthia Driscoll regarding water services delivery in Shoreline. He asserted a lack of communication between City and District staff. He said the study that consultant Dave Parkinson, CH2MHill, prepared for the City does not answer all unresolved questions. He noted the difficulty of identifying "middle ground" between the City and the District. He expressed concern that City assumption of the District will result in lengthy litigation. He proposed the involvement of a Councilmember to facilitate a meeting of City and District staff.

Mayor Jepsen mentioned his understanding that Council has not directed staff to take any action. He noted the continuation of the status quo.

Mr. Deis reviewed communication between City and District staff. He explained that conflicting schedules have prevented a meeting since the February 22 Council Workshop. He commented that the issue has been a lower priority.

6. EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 6:44 p.m., Mayor Jepsen announced that Council would recess into executive session for 20 minutes to discuss one item of potential litigation.

Councilmember Ransom arrived at 6:46 p.m.

At 7:00 p.m., the executive session concluded, and the workshop reconvened.

7. WORKSHOP ITEMS

(a) Update on the Shoreview Park Improvement Project and the Public Review Process

Wendy Barry, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director, reviewed the staff report and a schematic of the site. She noted key elements, including: the parking lot; the restroom building; play areas; frontage improvements along Innis Arden Way; and the Little League ball field. She explained that parking will increase from the current total of approximately 40 stalls to a new total of 157. She said staff seeks public input on the orientation of the restroom and on the choice of one large play area or one medium-size play area with another, smaller play area near the Little League field.

Ms. Barry said staff will hold a public open house in mid-April. The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Committee will address the site plan at its April 27 meeting. Staff will return to Council to discuss the site plan further in May. Ms. Barry mentioned the goal to begin construction in 2001.

Councilmember Ransom questioned the size of the shrubbery bordering the trail to the lower sports fields. Ms. Barry said the plans are not drawn to that level of detail. She advocated plantings that maintain the line of sight.

In response to Councilmember Ransom, Ms. Barry said the vegetation along Innis Arden Way is designed to be a buffer. Mr. Deis mentioned that the difference in elevation from the residences on the other side of Innis Arden Way will also buffer the Little League field.

Councilmember Gustafson supported the idea to build bleachers into the side of the hill beside the Little League field. He noted his concern that foul balls could land in the smaller play area that staff has considered locating near the Little League field. He went on to express support for the schematic and for proceeding with the project.

Mayor Jepsen suggested locating the restroom to make it visible from the road and, thereby, more secure. Noting the distance from the parking lot to the Little League field, he expressed concern that people will park along Innis Arden Way. He advocated measures to address this problem.

Councilmember Ransom suggested locating the restroom closer to the trail leading to the lower fields, in sight of the Little League field. He recommended against trees along the parking lot overlooking the softball field. He said people often park and watch the softball field from above.

Mayor Jepsen supported the process of gathering public input. Councilmember Grossman agreed. He stressed the importance of the collaboration of park designers and park users.

In response to Councilmember Gustafson, Ms. Barry said the City has not included enhancements to the trails in other areas of the park in the current improvement project.

Mayor Jepsen asserted Council concurrence with the proposed public review process for the Shoreview Park Improvement Project.

In response to Mr. Deis, Mayor Jepsen and Councilmember Gustafson expressed concern that improving the frontage along Innis Arden Way to enclose the ditch and build a curb and sidewalk would encourage parking along the street.

Councilmember Ransom asked if the restrooms will be large enough to serve a larger number of park users. Ms. Barry said the design consultants considered this in their determination of restroom capacity. She noted similar-size restrooms at Hamlin Park and at the Shoreline Center. She agreed to revisit the issue.

(b) Government Channel Implementation and Operational Procedures

Larry Bauman, Assistant City Manager, reviewed the staff report and provided a demonstration of how the City government channel might look.

Mayor Jepsen supported the proposed improvements for the government channels. He advocated broadcasting information about other taxing districts in Shoreline.

Councilmember Gustafson supported the proposed improvements as a means of positive communication to the entire community. He asserted the potential for collaboration with several different agencies. He noted that the proposed system will support the basic initial operations that staff has proposed and that it will accommodate growth over time.

In response to Councilmember Grossman, Mr. Bauman explained that the equipment at City Hall will be connected to the equipment at each headend by modem. Council-member Grossman expressed concern about the expense of the proposed system considering character generator technology he is familiar with. He offered to talk further with staff at another time.

Mayor Jepsen reiterated support for the implementation of a government channel.

Mr. Deis introduced Debra Tarry, the City’s new Finance Director. Ms. Tarry reviewed her work experience, including her current position as the Finance Director of the City of Mill Creek.

8. CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENT: None

9. EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 7:40 p.m., Mayor Jepsen announced that Council would recess into executive session for one hour and 50 minutes to discuss one item of personnel.

The executive session concluded at 9:18 p.m., and the workshop reconvened.

10. ADJOURNMENT

At 9:19 p.m., Mayor Jepsen declared the meeting adjourned.

____________________________
Sharon Mattioli, CMC
City Clerk